An 81-year-old Fife man has admitted sexually abusing seven children during a period spanning two decades.
John Bushnell used lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards each of his victims.
Two of the children – a boy and a girl – were abused from the age of four.
Bushnell, of Bellfield Place in Milton of Balgonie, carried out his sick crimes in the Leven area between 1955 and 1975.
Procurator fiscal depute Ronnie Hay told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court that on three occasions Bushnell told one of the boys he abused to “lie down for a tickle” before carrying out a sex act over him.
The fiscal depute said the same survivor, now an adult, was suicidal about 10 years ago and diagnosed with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mr Hay said: “(He) still has flashbacks and nightmares”.
Prison ‘very likely’
The court heard Bushnell touched five of the children in their private areas under their clothing and two of his victims over their clothing.
On one occasion he molested a girl and carried out a sex act in front of her.
Bushnell appeared in the dock at Kirkcaldy to plead guilty to seven charges of using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards the children.
Sheriff Robert More deferred sentence until January 20 for the production of background reports and Bushnell was released on bail.
Bushnell was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register, the length of time for which will be decided at sentencing.
The sheriff told him: “I trust you will be aware the charges to which you pled guilty are very serious and although a lot of time has passed, they are of the severity that makes the imposition of a sentence of imprisonment very likely”.
The court heard Bushnell has no previous convictions.
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